Knight Era -- Medieval Europe

Author: Time-Life Books
Publisher:
Publication Date: 2003-02-01
Features: The war over the English throne between Matilda, daughter of Henry I, and Stephen, Henry's nephew and William the Conqueror's grandson from Blois, had already lasted for several years. Both sides' soldiers needed a respite. Yet, despite this, John Marshal, Matilda's military commander, could only persuade Stephen to accept a one-day truce if he agreed to pledge his young son William as a hostage. Marshal showed no hesitation in sending his five-year-old son into the enemy camp, then resumed the truce to restock supplies and soldiers in the forward areas. Enraged, Stephen placed young William in a basket carried by a crossbow and prepared to hurl the hostage to his death. But Marshal did not back down. Instead, he goaded Stephen with words, saying he had "a hammer and anvil that could forge weapons like this, or even better."
The Knight Era: Medieval Europe is one of the titles in the Time-Life Books series Living in the Distant Past. This volume tells a fascinating story about the young boy in the crossbow basket and other significant events in medieval Europe; it guides readers through the silent monasteries, battlefields, cities, manors, and castles of the Middle Ages, offering a detailed look at the real lives of figures like Stephen and Matilda, John and William. Based on contemporary chronicles, letters, church records, manor account books, court documents, and other historical sources, the book vividly recreates the lives of ordinary people and monarchs. Among the many historical figures featured are the serf Abraham, the university student Alexander Neckam, and Joan of Arc, as well as the enigmatic abbess Hildegard of Bingen. Henry himself is depicted through brilliant and colorful medieval illustrations, showing major events and daily life: the Pope, dressed in gold and crimson robes, crowning Charlemagne; priests in deep red vestments turning the surroundings into a sea of red; hunters chasing prey in lush forests; and townspeople in colorful attire gathering on the streets as the city receives its official charter. These historical settings are enriched by medieval artifacts—ranging from religious relics and bucklers to children's toys and ceramic dishes. Scenes of fortified castles, towering cathedrals, and quiet monasteries evoke a longing for the Middle Ages.
To compile this series, the Time-Life team of collaborators thoroughly explored the collections of scholars, travelers, museums, and universities. They not only provided each book with abundant illustrations of artworks and crafts to recreate the vanished life with vivid accuracy but also created various maps and reconstructions of cities and buildings to bring the entire world in which the stories took place to life. The introductory overview is a thoughtful historical essay accompanied by a timeline, giving readers a clear grasp of the era's. The narrative is engaging and fresh, ensuring that every detail, image, anecdote, and historical fact will renew readers' appreciation for the life of that distant age.